Coral Critters Artist Competition
for The Coral Reef Encounter 2024
The Coral Reef Encounter invites artists and crafters to create Coral Critters: three dimensional, fanciful fish and/or coral inspired by the beauty of a healthy coral reef. Your piece of art will be displayed prominently underwater in the Reef on June 22 and 23, 2024 at the Jeffers Hill pool in Columbia, Maryland.
Background:
In its fourth year, the Coral Reef Encounter continues to be a spectacular, immersive art and science experience. It is the first and only time anywhere that a swimming pool has been turned into an artful, simulated reef filled with handmade, fanciful coral and fish.
Each year Coral Reef Encounter has drawn more than 1,000 people into the reef over two days—adults and children. The Coral Reef Encounter is a fun, family friendly public event that simulates the amazing experience of snorkeling in a tropical coral reef --- while swimming in a safe, local pool.
Adults and children are provided snorkels and masks and learn how to use them in a practice area. When a participant is ready, he or she will begin their snorkel below the big purple Octopus. They will then snorkel through the trail, which is filled with colorful fabric fish and coral made from many different objects.
How to Enter the Coral Critters Artist Competition
We need your imagination and artistry to make fish and coral! Entries will be judged on creativity, originality, and execution of concept. There is no entry fee for the competition. Every artist and budding artist are encouraged to enter.
There are three parts to the entry process.
1. First, read over the guidelines.
2. Create a piece of coral, or a fish you may or may not see in the real ocean.
3. Photograph your work.
4. Submit your photo entry by May 1 by going to our website and provide your contact information and artist statement. Then click on the link to upload at least one picture of each piece. Note that all entries must follow the Guidelines below. All entries will be displayed on the Coral Reef Encounter website.
5. Finally you drop off or mail your actual fish or coral by May 26 to Coral Reef Encounter (see address below).
All submissions are eligible for the prizes described below. All contestants will receive an email listing the prize winners. Your art becomes a part of the Coral Reef Encounter family and can be a considered a contribution to the Coral Reef Encounter, which is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit.
Thank you so very much! Each of your artful contributions will enhance and strengthen the Coral Reef Encounter, and help further our goal: Raise awareness about the importance of coral reefs which have been dying worldwide. Their existence is threatened by the impact of global warming on theoceans’ environment. Participants learn these key concerns while having fun in a unique and beautiful environment.
Application Guidelines:
Coral Critters fish and coral submitted must meet the Coral Reef Encounter’s requirements for safe display. Click here to complete the entry form. Questions may be directed to coralreefencounter@yahoo.com or 410-934-2442.
Artists may submit between one and five Critter entries in each category, Fish and Coral, for a total limit of ten entries by May 1.
a. Submit photos of up to 5 works of Fish and/or up to 5 works of Coral.
b. Images must be 300 dpi resolution or higher
c. Image Titles: Please title your images in the following format:
Last Name_Artwork Title_Entry#_View.jpg
Example: Zinner_Silly Clownfish_ Entry 1_Front view.jpg
Requirements for Construction of Coral Critters:
1. Neither Coral Critters fish nor coral may contain organic matter or any other materials that could leak or break down in the pool.
2. You may not use glass, metal that rusts, sharp objects, or breakable ceramic.
3. Pieces must not contain sharp edges.
4. Bright and/or dark colors are recommended for best underwater visibility. White or pastels are barely visible.
5. All entries must be handmade.
Fish
Fish must be constructed of fabric or crochet yarn. They may have plastic or other found object parts added.
All fish must be between 10” and 24” long and not more than 6” wide. Fabric must be cotton, polyester or similar material that can withstand the bleaching effects of chlorine in the pool. Bright or dark colors are recommended as pastels and white fabric are not as visible in the pool.
Each fish should contain polyester fiber fill or equivalent material that will float. Light stuffing is better than fuller stuffing.
Each fish must have a small fabric loop on the bottom that is one-inch wide and one inch high. Coral Reef staff will insert a clear string into that loop and attach that to weights on the pool bottom.
All fish must float. You can test this out in a bathtub.
Coral
Coral can be made out of objects such as (but not limited to) plastic containers, plastic can lids, colored plastic bags, straws, bubble wrap strips, pieces of pool noodle, cement poured into a mold, tile, fabric.
If you are using glue, do NOT use Crazy glue, hot glue, or any white soluble glue such as Weldbond or Elmers.
You must use a silicone or E6000 brand type glue.
Coral can be almost any size or shape but should not exceed 3 feet x 3 feet.
Coral must be weighted to hold it underwater. Include either some type of weight (two pounds or more) or a string or wire we can use to attach the piece to a grid.
The Coral Reef Encounter reserves the right to refuse to accept any artwork that does not meet these requirements.
IMPORTANT DATES
May 1 - Deadline to submit entry photos of fish and coral
May 26 - Deadline for receipt/drop off of actual fish and/or coral pieces
June 22 and 23 - The Coral Reef Encounter
June 22, 2024 - Reception and awards ceremony at the Coral Reef Encounter
Entries may be mailed or dropped off to:
Coral Reef Encounter
8112 Sea Water Path
Columbia, MD 21045
Entries received after the deadline will not be considered for prizes. All costs related to artwork transit are the responsibility of the artist. The Coral Reef Encounter will not accept liability for any damage incurred during mailing. The Coral Reef Encounter reserves the right to reproduce photos of accepted entries for publicity purposes.
Submissions will be juried by artist Michael Beard
About Michael Beard
Michael studied oil painting while pursuing his BFA at East Carolina University in North Carolina. He served as the Executive Director of the internationally renowned Kirov Academy of Ballet for 17yrs., raising the school’s profile with dozens of gold and silver medals in international competitions. Upon retirement he pursued his passion for oil painting full time. He has exhibited in galleries throughout the US and recently showed works in Naples, FL at the “Natural Selections” Exhibit at Rookery Bay and the “Bloom and Blossom” Exhibit at the Naples Airport. He has held one-man shows, won awards, done commissions and has numerous paintings in private collections.
Prizes will be awarded in two categories:
Fish 1st place - $500
Fish 2nd place - $125
Fish 3rd place - $50
Fish Honorable mention - $15
Coral 1st place - $500
Coral 2nd place - $125
Coral 3rd place - $50
Coral Honorable mention - $15
Prizes will be announced at the afternoon reception on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Coral Reef Encounter at Jeffers Hill Pool. All entrants will be informed of prizes by email. You do not need to be physically present to win an award.